Yes, it can sound trite, especially if you are walking in a deep and challenging place today, but the principle is sure. It is foundational to a heart that is ruled with peace. “And be thankful.”

If it feels impossible to be thankful where you stand right now, ask God to help you to say “thank you” to Him that He alone can give you peace. Thank Him for His love, care and power to lead you today through the maze of your life. He will help you, as you choose gratitude today and let peace rule your heart.
Prayer of action:

Father God, so often my heart finds it easier to see the things that I am not thankful for. Open my eyes and my heart to having a new attitude of gratefulness to You. Help me today to enter into each part of my day as doing what is in front of me for You and as one representing You. Help me to be keenly aware of all the places today that I can offer You my thanksgiving, as I choose this day to LET Your peace rule my heart. Fill my mind with the things You bring to my life: Your strength, power, help and love. Thank you that You will help me choose well what rules my heart today. I choose Your peace. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

“I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life,” John 8:12.

When we are followers of Jesus, darkness should not characterise our lives. Oh, it will come to try to darken the doorway of our hearts, but we can choose our response.

In one of the daily readings in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young, she explains what happened when Eve turned her attention away from all the blessings she had, to focus on what she didn’t have. “That negative focus darkened her mind and she succumbed to temptation.”

She left thankfulness behind! Thankfulness is so much more than “having an attitude of gratitude”! It is a protection from darkness. It is a discipline. It’s actually a weapon in our spiritual warfare arsenal.

When you sense the shadow of darkness at the door of your heart by discouragement or dissatisfaction (two of the biggest things that try to rob us of the Light of Jesus within us) stop and send thanksgiving to the door.

Jesus says when we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness. Where are the shadows lurking that want to darken the door of your heart and mind and draw you away from the Light? Send Jesus to the door and rise up with thanksgiving in your heart. It’s a discipline. It’s a sacrifice. It’s a weapon. Use it today!

Lord God, I thank You that darkness need not cast its shadow over my heart and mind today. Thank you that You are the Light of my life. Thank you that You lead me and guide me and strengthen me, when I fix my eyes on all the wonder of who You are. Grant me the insight and the wisdom to lift my voice in thanksgiving today, for You are my God and I am Your child. Whenever darkness seeks to encroach upon me, may it be my call to lift my heart to You in praise. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.

If you think you know God but do not live your life in gratitude before Him, it is doubtful that you really knew Him in the first place. A thankful heart honours God. Too often, when we say we “know God,” what we actually mean is we know facts about God. But we should ask ourselves, “Do I truly know Him?”

Paul warns that just knowing doctrines about God is not enough to enter eternal life.